The Obsidian Tower

Player Handout
Premise Character Creation
The Obsidian Tower. A great looming This section contains information to help
tower that perches upon a barren rock in create new characters for the adventure.
the sea. Within its walls are only the most For premade characters refer to page 5.
dangerous inmates of the land, or so the
people have been told. In truth the tower Character Level 3
holds inmates of all kinds, a convenient Character Points Available 18
dumping ground for anyone the royal
family wishes to quietly get rid of. Character Questions
The following questions can be helpful
You are a prisoner destined to rot, until an
when building your character.
unfamiliar guard offers salvation.
Someone on the outside wants you free.
1. Why was your character sent to the
Should you accept their offer, you and a
Obsidian Tower?
few others will be provided with supplies
and information to aid in your escape.
2. How long has your character been
there?
With the window of opportunity fast
approaching, you will need to make your
3. What is your character's plan once
final preparations quickly.
they are free?

1
Important Information
This section contains information
provided by your mysterious benefactor
prior to the escape attempt.
Obstacles
1. The Barrier
A powerful magic barrier that
encapsulates the island. It is controlled by
the Archmage Francois, meaning he will
need to be dealt with for the barrier to
deactivate. Alternatively, it is said that the
tower’s torturer Finch Cromwell may
know of a way past the barrier.
2. The Guards
Roughly a hundred guards are stationed
in the Tower. While not individually
powerful they can overwhelm even the
most hardened warriors given enough
time. Guards should be avoided if
possible or dealt with quickly to stop
them from raising the alarm.
3. The Exit
The heavily fortified walls of the Tower
leave few options to escape. Scaling its
sheer walls or walking out the front door
are possible - if exceedingly difficult
options. For all routes, refer to the Routes
of Escape section below.
2
Important Characters
1. The Warden - Archmage Francois
The current Warden is a major roadblock
for the inmates. His renowned Barrier
spell entraps everything within the
confines of the island. He lives at the
zenith of the tower and is in a constant
trance as he casts the spell. If anyone is to
leave, either he or his barrier will need to
be dealt with first. It is well known that he
owns a pet beetle, whom he treasures.
2. The Commander - Duke Carson
A cruel and powerful man, the
Commander was the first high ranking
officer to voluntarily join the guard on the
island. He enjoys torturing the inmates
and will sometimes offer the more crazed
prisoners a chance at freedom by facing
him in a duel.
Avoid if possible.
3. The Torturer – Finch Cromwell
Once an inmate facing the gallows, the
Torturer now practices his craft in the
bowels of the tower. It is said that he
alone knows a way to bypass the
Archmage’s barrier, but this is yet to be
confirmed.
4. The First Gaoler
A rumour passed among inmates.
Supposedly an abomination lurks along
the shoreline, though its existence is still
debated heavily. Still, a potential threat to
be aware of.
Routes of Escape 4. The Torturer’s Path
The Torturer stays in the deepest part of
Each escape route has unique challenges
the tower, and choice few guards go there
that will suit certain playstyles.
if they can help it. Taking this route
would mean a descent into the unknown
1. Out the Front Door
but offers a chance to completely bypass
This route is direct, heading to the
the Archmage’s barrier.
Archmage first, then going straight down
the main stairwell. There are multiple
open sections where heavy resistance is to
be expected by the guards. However,
careful preparation might allow the
guards to be dispatched or avoided
completely.

2. Scaling the Wall

This route is more discreet, dealing first
with the Archmage then scaling the tower
from the ramparts. While there are ways
to re-enter the tower from the walls, this
route poses a much higher risk due to the
near guaranteed death if the group falls
and is dashed on the rocky cliff face
below.
Character Sheet and Premade
3. In the Dumbwaiter
Characters
The following section contains a blank
Almost each floor has access to a
character sheet and three premade
dumbwaiter chute that spans the height of characters. Each premade character fits a
the tower. The chute could be used to playstyle that will likely be beneficial
move up and down the tower unseen and while escaping the tower.
might provide a direct route out of the
tower on the lower levels. It is also not Old No-Eyes Combat/Scouting
meant for handling much weight and Viv Stealth/Healing
could potentially break – sending the Saint Gert Persuasion/Disguise
unlucky rider plummeting to their death.

3
Level Flavour
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Dying __________________________________________________________
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Resolve __________________________________________________________
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Skills M Items C M
Level 3 Flavour Old No-Eyes
No one really knows how Old No-Eyes came to the tower, or____
Health when. His crime has long been scrubbed from the records, and___
10 now he has simply become a part of life in the tower. Despite his_
Current Max eyeless sockets Old No-Eyes has little trouble traversing the_____

Dying tower, as if an unseen light guides him._______________________

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3
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Resolve __________________________________________________________
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1
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Theme __________________________________________________________
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Patience __________________________________________________________

Skills M Items C M
Create Invisible Floating Eyes 3 Knife 1
Fight with Blade 5 Knife Health 5
Leather Bracers 1
Leather Bracers Health 5
Level 3 Flavour Viv
Once a noblewoman blessed with a talent to heal wounds with a_
Health wave of the hand, Viv was cast into the Obsidian Tower when her
10 house fell to treachery. She now waits in the shadows for any____
Current Max chance to escape and exact her revenge._______________________

Dying __________________________________________________________
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3
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Resolve __________________________________________________________
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1
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Theme __________________________________________________________
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Bitter __________________________________________________________
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Skills M Items C M
Hide Self 3 Shortbow 4
Heal Person 3 Shortbow Health 5
Lockpick 2
Lockpick Health 5
Level 3 Flavour Saint Gert
Saint Gert, slayer of demons and wielder of the mystic arts. Some_
Health say she has peered into the depths of the void, and it has quivered
10 in fear under her mighty gaze. Whether any of the stories are true
Current Max only Gert knows, but her strong body and glowing eyes lend____
some credence to the tall tales._______________________________
Dying __________________________________________________________
3 __________________________________________________________
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1 __________________________________________________________
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Falsehood
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Skills M Items C M
Transform Self 4 Hammer 1
Deceive Person 4 Hammer (Smite Monster) 1
Hammer Health 5